In an interview with Deutsche Welle, Vicar of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Aram Ateshyan answered questions concerning the liturgy at Surb Khach (Holy Cross) church on Akhtamar Island.  

He pointed out that the Turkish Armenians have been waiting for the liturgy with enthusiasm. However, the news that the cross would not be installed dented this enthusiasm.

Ateshyan said that the cross was to have been installed on the dome of the church, but a referendum in Turkey scheduled for September 12 proved a roadblock. However, the participants in the liturgy will see a cross, which will be installed after the liturgy.

“The Van Governor promised the Armenian community that the cross would without fail be installed after the liturgy. We expected 5,000 people to take part in the liturgy, but the present situation has reduced the number – some people refused to participate. The Holy See of Echmiadzin and Antelias (the seat of the Catholicos of Cilicia of the Armenian Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia) refused to participate in the liturgy,” Ateshyan said. On the other hand, the Jerusalem Patriarchate will participate.